1. "New York City is the world capital of banking. In these skyscrapers
that New York built, they control world finance. What I pointed out is
that they do the banking with the world but they don’t do the banking
with their neighbors. We are here to show that there is nothing wrong
with doing banking with neighbors. So we hope we will create some
confidence in them. If we change the banks' mind, the whole world
will change."
Grameen America was founded upon the belief that Grameen Bank,
a system that has succeeded with remarkable results in the villages of
Bangladesh, could work in urban America. Professor Yunus believes
that for the world to really take notice of the power of microfinance,
it has to work in the capital of international finance, New York City.
Under the façade of New York City’s grandeur, there exists a huge
population of underserved people who do not have access to banks
and mainstream financial institutions. Grameen America opened its
doors in January 2008 during the largest financial crisis of the
modern era.
Grameen America provides small loans, known as “microloans” and
other financial services to individuals living below the U.S. poverty
line who wants to start or grow a small business. Grameen America
relies on the Graemeen lending model developed over 30 years by
Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.
Grameen America provides affordable micro-loans to financially
empower low-income entrepreneurs. Grameen America’s vision is to
help create a world free of poverty. They predict a market where any

2. individual with a dream can receive affordable financial products
regardless of income, previous credit history, education, or business
experience. Grameen America envisions a world where burgeoning
entrepreneurs are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty
through hard work and determination to forge better lives for their
families and future generations.
Despite being a new player in the domestic microfinance industry,
Grameen America experienced considerable growth during its first
year. In the first three months, Grameen America disbursed more
than $350,000 in micro-loans and had over 165 borrowers. Please
visit our Social Impact section for updated information on our
current growth.
A Grameen America branch opened in Omaha, Nebraska in summer
2009, and Indianapolis, in 2011. As a result of the growing demand
in NYC, Grameen America opened three additional branches in the
boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. All branches have
experienced rapid growth in the short period they have been
operational.

3. Grameen America continues to expand the reach of micro credit
across the United States, with additional branches in development in
California, North Carolina, Boston, and Washington, DC.